Saturday, September 19, 1998 Last modified at 2:51 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 1998

Gates concerned about 'world disorder'

By MIKE W. THOMAS

Avalanche-Journal

The world has become a more turbulent and unstable place since the end of the Cold War and neither political party is doing enough to address the problem, warned former CIA Director Robert Gates.

''The dark clouds of disorder and crisis have only been kept at bay by American leadership,'' Gates said. ''But today that great American colossus is adrift.''

Gates outlined his concerns about ''world disorder'' Friday during a speech to the Chief Executives Roundtable at the McInturff Conference Center.

Gates, 54, served under six presidents during his 26-year career as an intelligence officer, beginning with President Johnson in 1966.

He was selected by President Reagan to become director of the CIA in 1986, but his nomination was withdrawn after lawmakers questioned his involvement in attempts to cover up the Iran-Contra affair.

Five years later he was picked once again to head the agency, this time by President Bush, and the nomination was confirmed after he faced more questions over Iran-Contra.

Gates commented that the scrutiny he faced during independent counsel Lawrence Walsh's investigation of Iran-Contra was not unlike having a root canal without anesthesia.

Today, Gates is on the board of directors of Fidelity Investments and serves as a consultant and adviser for a number of international companies.

Gates, who has a doctorate in Russian history from Georgetown University, gave what he called a ''cheerless review'' of the world situation, beginning with the current troubles in Russia and the economic crisis in Asia.

Most of Russia's problems are due to internal factors, Gates said, stemming from the people's mistrust of corrupt government officials.

President Boris Yeltsin is a sick binge drinker whose only objective is to hold onto power, he said.

An obstructionist bureaucracy has blocked many needed reforms and the government cannot collect the tax revenues it needs to pay government salaries and maintain infrastructure.

The most recent crisis in Russia was sparked by external problems, most notably the drop in oil prices, which resulted in a loss of $4 billion to $6 billion. Russia has also been ensnared in the Asian economic crisis that is forcing millions of workers who recently moved up to the middle class back into poverty.

But Gates said he still considers himself to be an informed optimist and believes that things can ultimately work out for the better if the U.S. will take a more assertive role in international affairs. The Asian economy will bounce back within two to five years with a stronger foundation, Gates predicts. Russia, too, will overcome its current problems though it may take a generation or two to do so.

Another pressing problem for U.S. leaders is the rise of terrorism and the spread of nuclear technology, Gates said. The Oklahoma City bombing and the sarin gas attack in Tokyo demonstrated the inevitability that some group may use a terrifying weapon in the near future.

Gates said if the U.S. is going to turn things around it needs to step away from its current ''hedonistic isolationism,'' by which he means a nation of people wanting all the material things that go with a global economy but who are unwilling to take a role in maintaining order.

''Unfortunately, neither of our political parties is providing leadership,'' Gates said. ''None of our current leaders are trying to develop a strategy and the critical moment of truth is coming.''